Music News

Kelly Clarkson to Host 2020 Billboard Music Awards. And the host of the 2020 Billboard Music Awards is... E! News can exclusively reveal Clarkson will return as the host of the 2020 Billboard for the third time in a row. In a statement, the Voice coach shared, "I'm thrilled to be back with my Billboard family. I love being part of an event that celebrates our greatest artists and entertains our fans. This a night of music that you won't want to miss!" Indeed, the show must not be missed, because it promises to be a night of great fun and, obviously, a ton of performances from chart-topping musicians, including those from the hostess with the most-est. This year's event will take place on Weds. April 29 at the MGM Grand Gardens Arena in Las Vegas, the same venue which saw the Jonas Brothers, Paula Abdul, Taylor Swift and more stars. While it's going to be difficult to top last year's all-around fantastic show, Kelly will likely have more fun this time around. Last year, the host managed to make it through the entire evening without once revealing she was suffering from appendicitis. People only found out about her illness the next morning, when Kelly took to Twitter to recount the night and her rush to remove the appendix. "Not gonna lie," the American Idol alum shared. "I may or may not have broken down in tears after the show from pain. BUT thanks 2 all the amazing people @ Cedars-Sinai I flew home directly after the event, nailed the surgery early this morning, & feeling awesome now! Bye bye appendix." Finger's crossed that her improved health will mean more incredible performances and moments! (Eonline)

Nat King Cole Centennial Exhibit to Open at Grammy Museum on March 17. The Grammy Museum is celebrating the life and career of legendary singer and pianist Nat King Cole with a new exhibit, it was announced Tuesday (Feb. 25). Entitled "This Is Nat King Cole," the exhibit -- which will bookend Cole's centennial celebration -- is slated to open on March 17, what would have been Cole's 101st birthday. The singer's daughters Timolin Cole and Casey Cole will be on hand at the museum's Clive Davis Theater on opening day to discuss the stories behind the exhibit with moderator Scott Goldman. Scheduled to run through summer 2020, "This Is Nat King Cole" will offer a retrospective of Cole's personal and professional life, including his relationship with Capitol Records. Cole died in February 1965 at age 45. Highlights of the exhibit will include the tuxedo Cole wore during his 1960 visit with Queen Elizabeth and the kimono he was given in Japan the same year; his Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award, which he was awarded posthumously in 1990; handwritten letters to his wife Maria Cole; a beaded gown worn by Maria at a 25th anniversary celebration of Cole's relationship with Capitol Records; and an engraved Tiffany sterling silver box gifted to Cole by activists Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Sargent Shriver. "We are so excited that our father is being honored at the Grammy Museum in celebration of his centennial, and even more special that it is on his birthday," said Casey and Timolin Cole in a joint statement. "Our hearts are full knowing that after all these years his music lives on in the hearts of so many." Added Grammy Museum president Michael Sticka, "Nat King Cole's legacy as an iconic, American artist is unparalleled, making him an undeniable national treasure. It's an honor for the Grammy Museum to host this exhibit and celebrate his incredible achievements and musical legacy." Born on March 17, 1919 in Montgomery, Alabama, Cole formed the Nat King Cole Trio in the late 1930s and signed to Capitol Records in 1943. His debut album, The King Cole Trio, topped Billboard's inaugural album chart the following year. Over the course of his career, he recorded nearly 700 songs for Capitol, 150 of which charted on Billboard's pop, R&B and country charts -- an achievement that led to the iconic Capitol building's informal designation at "The House That Nat Built." He has also been noted for his contributions to advancements in racial equality, including the U.S. civil rights movement. Cole died of lung cancer in February 1965 at the age of 45. (Billboard)

Lil Nas X got his week started with what looks to be a brand new music video -- and like he has in the past ... it seems he's about to wow us with a crazy production. The rapper was filming Monday atop a parking structure in Downtown L.A., where a set had been built resembling an intricate tree house of sorts. It ain't your usual kid-built MacGyver job either ... the "houses" almost look like apartments. Check it out ... you see people coming in and out of the entrances, including LNX who had an interesting outfit on -- blue coat, brown pants, and polka-dotted shirt underneath. Feels like this thing could get pretty wacky. Remember, Lil Nas is known for his over-the-top music vids -- which are top-notch and pull out all the stops on visual effects, props, set design, costumes ... and of course, animals. His most successful song and video to date is "Old Town Road," which has racked up over 440 million views on YouTube. His other videos haven't really come close to that, but they're just as highly produced and elaborate. Based on what we see here, he's keeping that going. The big question, of course, is what song this could possibly be for. He already did videos for his 3 big singles off his debut EP, "7," and has recently teased "new bangers" in 2020. Hmmm ... the anticipation is killing us. We see you though, Nas X ?? (TMZ)

Don McLean says he saw Tyson Fury sing his #1 song, "American Pie," after beating Deontay Wilder in Vegas Saturday night .. and tells TMZ Sports he thought it was AWESOME!!! After Fury got the TKO against Wilder in the 7th round, he took the mic during the post-fight interview and said, "I said I'd sing a song tonight didn't I?!" .. and delivered his version of McLean's 1971 classic "American Pie!" "He did very well," McLean tells us, "I would say he's the #1 bar room singer. Excellent job!" McLean says he was even more ecstatic when the WHOLE CROWD joined the new heavyweight champ ..and they also KILLED IT -- word for word! "The thing that knocked me out was that everybody, all the old folks, young folks, everybody knew all the words. Kind of a thrill for me to see that!" And, he hopes Fury does it again 'cause he's down to get in the ring and sing with him.. "That would be fun!" "I'm looking forward to hear him do it again and winning again!" McLean is actually on tour right now, so we asked since Fury got some time now, if he can join him ... and ya gotta hear what he says! (TMZ)

'The Voice': Nick Jonas Joins Season 18 Coaches for the Blind Auditions Premiere. The night had three four-chair turns. The Voice returned to NBC on Monday night for its 18th season. For the first time, Nick Jonas appeared as a coach, and he joined veteran coaches Blake Shelton, John Legend and Kelly Clarkson. They each get one block during this round. Things started with a four-chair turn, which went to Todd Tilghman singing Bob Seger's "We've Got Tonight." He had a raspy voice with a lot of control, and the turns came quickly. Jonas actually sang to him a bit, which usually woos artists. But he ended up going with Team Blake. "I love the range," Shelton had said. Legend used his block on Jonas for the next artist, Nelson Cade III, who gave a fun and well-rounded folk performance of Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Pride and Joy." It was a smart move, since Legend and Jonas will likely be going for similar artists this season. Jonas said Cade could win the whole thing, but because of the block, he couldn't have him on his team. It was another four-chair turn, but Cade went with Legend, so the block paid off. Tate Brusa sang "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran, accompanying himself on the guitar and rocking an indie singer-songwriter vibe. The coaches took their time, but Shelton and Jonas both ended up turning for him. Brusa became the very first member of Team Nick. Singing "Issues" by Julia Michaels, Tayler Green had really strong ad libs and runs that caught the ears of Clarkson and Jonas. Clarkson seemed convinced that Green was going to go with Jonas, but she ended up joining Team Kelly. Ashley Plath failed to turn any chairs with her performance of "Baby It's You," which had some pitch issues. Later in the episode, an artist named Chrissy Jolly also failed to turn any chairs. Emily Bass, who did not turn any chairs last season but was encouraged to return, met the same fate again when her performance did not snag the attention of the coaches. Darious Lyles got turns from Legend and Clarkson for his smooth performance of "How Do You Sleep?" Shelton said he only didn't hit his button because he thought Lyles belonged with one of the other coaches who did turn. Legend praised his tight runs but admitted he had some pitch problems he could work with him on. Lyles joined Team Legend. The 17-year-old singer Megan Danielle took on "Remedy" by Adele, and the coaches once again took their time with this one. Jonas seemed to really be debating the decision, but in the end, only Clarkson turned for Danielle. "The tone is incredible," Clarkson said, noting that she heard some country in there. Danielle was a perfect candidate for Team Kelly, so it was fine that no one else turned, even though it was a little surprising. Giving a classic-rock performance of Foreigner's "Jukebox Hero," Todd Michael Hall wowed Shelton and Legend with his throwback sound and belting voice. He joined Team Blake. "You're the only guy who can be in that lane," Shelton said of his distinct genre. Joanna Serenko closed out the first night of auditions with her performance of "All My Loving," on which she put her own spin, showcasing a lot of originality for this stage of the competition. She easily secured a four-chair turn. She would have been a good fit on any of the teams, but she ended up going with Jonas, who won his first four-chair face-off with her. The Blind Auditions will continue Tuesday night on NBC. (Hollywood Reporter)

Next Time You Go to Philly, Check Out 'Avenue of The Roots'. The next time you're rolling down East Passyunk Avenue in Philadelphia, make sure to look up when you drift down below South Street for a tribute to some of the city's favorite sons. After a City Council resolution passed last Thursday, a new sign went up on Friday morning dubbing the street "The Avenue of The Roots." The tribute to the Philly hip-hop collective and Tonight Show house band got an irreverent shout-out from the group's drummer, Questlove, who wrote, "Welp this is very Philly: technically we were supposed to wait for the vote and then like in May come Picnic Time we'd have an unveiling w confetti & kool aid lol but cats was like "NOAP!!! WE FINNA PUT THIS JAWN UP NOW!!!!! really awesome to see the place we honed our skills and craft embrace us like this." He was talking, of course, about the 2020 Roots Picnic festival, which is set to return to Philly's The Mann Center the final weekend in May (May 30-31). This year's event will be headlined by DaBaby, Meek Mill, and Summer Walker. Other artists making appearances throughout the two-day annual event include SiR, Burna Boy, Snoh Aalegra, Baby Rose, Thundercat, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, Griselda, Brandy, Musiq Soulchild, Phony Ppl and DJ Diamond Kuts. (Billboard)

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